NEWS
FG Blasts South Africa Over Attacks on Nigerians, Summons Diplomat
The Federal Government of Nigeria has strongly condemned the rising wave of attacks on its citizens in South Africa, summoning the country’s top diplomat in Abuja over what it described as persistent xenophobic violence.
The move follows recent incidents in which Nigerians were reportedly targeted, including the killing of one citizen and injuries sustained by others in separate attacks by unidentified gunmen.
The government said the pattern of violence has become alarming and unacceptable.
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Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, confirmed that South Africa’s acting high commissioner has been invited for urgent discussions.
According to him, the meeting will address “documented cases of maltreatment of Nigerian citizens and attacks on their businesses.”
Nigeria’s action comes amid growing continental concern over the safety of foreign nationals in South Africa, where repeated outbreaks of xenophobic violence have been recorded over the years.
Similarly, Ghana recently summoned South Africa’s envoy in Accra following reports of harassment and intimidation of its citizens.
Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, disclosed that a Ghanaian resident was confronted and asked to leave South Africa in a recent incident, heightening fears among migrants.
South Africa remains one of Africa’s top destinations for migrants due to its relatively advanced economy.
However, high unemployment and economic challenges have often fueled resentment against foreigners, leading to periodic violence.
Reacting to the development, South Africa’s acting police minister, Firoz Cachalia, condemned the attacks, stating that such actions are unlawful and contrary to the country’s constitutional values.
He assured that security agencies have been directed to act decisively against perpetrators, emphasizing that xenophobia, violence, and intimidation will not be tolerated.
The Nigerian government has reiterated its commitment to protecting its citizens abroad, warning that it will continue to engage diplomatically until the safety and rights of Nigerians in South Africa are fully guaranteed.
Chuks Nwanne, general manager of The Guardian’s Abuja operations and former Saturday editor of the newspaper, has passed on.
Eniola Daniel, a senior multimedia reporter at The Guardian, announced Nwanne’s death in an X post on Saturday.
It was gathered that Nwanne died on Saturday after a protracted illness.
Daniel described Nwanne as a “prolific entertainment writer” and his teacher, saying he would be deeply missed.
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A native of Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nwanne joined The Guardian in 2008 as an entertainment reporter.
He later became an editorial assistant at The Guardian Life Magazine, the newspaper’s weekly lifestyle publication.
Nwanne also served as assistant editor, entertainment and lifestyle, while overseeing the youth, travel and tourism sections of The Guardian on Saturday.
He held a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, and a master’s degree in communication studies from Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos.
He attended several training programmes and conferences in Nigeria and abroad.
Beyond journalism, Nwanne was the founder and creative director of the Ogbunike Cave Carnival, an annual three-day cultural festival established to promote the Ogbunike Cave, a major tourist attraction in Nigeria.
He was married and had three children.
Daniel expressed condolences to Nwanne’s family, describing his death as a loss to Ogbunike, Anambra, the music and entertainment industry, and journalism.
A road accident, involving a tanker truck conveying petroleum products opposite the Odukpani Local Government Secretariat, Cross River State, ignited a fire, leading to the destruction of several shops and affecting vehicles.
These transpired on Sunday, when the tanker accidentally overturned which led to the fire that spread to nearby shops and buildings.
Fortunately, the tanker driver was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
Confirming the incident, the Cross River State Police Command said that officers from the Odukpani Division were deployed to the scene to secure the area and prevent further harm.
The Command said the Fire Service had also been alerted and was expected to deploy personnel to contain and extinguish the fire.
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As of the time of filing this report, no death has been confirmed.
However, the police said a number of shops and vehicles had been affected by the inferno.
The Command urged residents and motorists to keep away from the immediate area and allow emergency responders unhindered access to the scene.
It also advised members of the public to exercise caution around the area because of the risk posed by the burning petroleum tanker.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, said further updates would be released as verified information became available.
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to meaningfully engage with organised labour, alleging that the government has remained aloof despite repeated attempts to open dialogue.
Ajaero made the remarks during an appearance on the Mic On Podcast, where he spoke about the relationship between the labour movement and the Federal Government over the past few years.
According to the NLC president, the government has not been engaging with labour and only responds when workers and other groups take steps to force its attention.
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“For the past two, three years, you know, it’s not a government that is engaging. This government doesn’t engage,” Ajaero said.
He described the administration as “aloof”, stressing that meaningful engagement had been lacking between the government and organised labour.
Ajaero recalled that the NLC had, by December 17, 2025, announced plans to take its grievances to the streets after months of attempts to communicate with the President.
He said the labour movement had written to President Tinubu from June through December but received no response.
“Well, by December 17th, 2025, we pulled out that we are going to the streets. After writing a letter from May, sorry June, to December to Mr. President and there was no response,” he said.
According to him, the planned action eventually led to the intervention of some state governors, who facilitated an interface between labour and the government.
He said the intervention became necessary after other channels of communication, including the office of the Minister of Labour, had failed.
“Because the whole channel—whether through the Minister of Labour or any other office—failed, collapsed. So some governors met with us, and since that time we have talked once or twice,” Ajaero said.
However, the NLC president suggested that the situation had not significantly improved, alleging that the issues raised by labour since December had largely been left unresolved.
“And those issues… December last year to now, they’re just doing their business. Everybody is their enemy,” he added.
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